Acura gave us a glimpse of the next-generation MDX with a concept version at this year's New York auto show. It looked promising thanks to a more distinctive front end and a more shapely body than its predecessor. We hadn't heard or seen much since, but recent spy footage from Death Valley, California shows a very similar production version undergoing hot-weather testing.

Even with a few strategically placed pieces of tape it's clear these prototypes of the 2007 Acura MDX don't look much different from the concept. The pronounced chevron-shaped grille is still there, as is the sloping roof line in back. Decent-size wheels and prominent wheel arches appear part of the finished product as well. It's still not the most eye-catching sport-utility we've ever seen, but neither are any of its competitors.

Unlike the vehicle shown in New York, these prototypes had fully detailed interiors, giving us a hint of which features we can expect. You can easily see the large center control knob in the middle of the dash, a setup borrowed straight from the RL sedan. This virtually guarantees the MDX will get a similar, if not improved, navigation system — not that there's much wrong with the RL's setup. Central control of the nav system doesn't appear to have lessened the button count, as the rest of the console is packed with secondary controls. Big planks of wood trim on either side of the center stack help clean up the dash a little, while a fully stocked steering wheel gets its share of auxiliary controls.

More RL donor parts may show up under the hood as Acura promised the segment's most powerful V6 for the MDX. It might not make the RL's 300 horsepower, but figure at least 280 horses with a comparable amount of torque. The RL's Super Handling All Wheel Drive system will also make its way into the MDX, giving it much improved street performance while maintaining plenty of all-weather traction. Acura's officials even threw out the Nürburgring card at the New York show, but we'll wait until we get behind the wheel before we determine whether it would really be any fun on a road course. With sales expected to start by the end of the year, it won't be long before we find out.

Sneak Peek: 2007 Acura MDX
When Acura, Honda Motor Co.'s premium brand, rolled out a prototype of its second-generation MDX sport utility vehicle this year at the New York auto show, executives described the concept as "90 percent there," in terms of final production styling and trim.

Spy photos of the actual production model reveal some changes from the concept, including a slightly different front fascia and grille, with larger headlamps and fog lamps.

While the overall design is mostly evolutionary, rather than a radical change, the 2007 MDX looks more modern than the current vehicle, and shares major thematic cues with such recent Acura designs as the RL and the TL.

The '07 MDX, which goes on sale this fall, is slightly longer than the current model, with more interior room. It is expected to feature a new 3.8-liter V-6 and likely will share the RL sedan's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Paul Lienert